Whenever you’re at the dealership, the salesperson will probably start suggesting all sorts of add-ons to you. As convenient as they sound, do you really need them? Usually, these extras are a waste of money, and today, we’re looking at 18 of them so that you can drive off the lot with your wallet relatively intact.
Rear Seat Entertainment Systems
Thanks to tablets and smartphones, a fancy built-in entertainment system for the back seat is pretty useless nowadays. Entertainment systems are expensive, and technology updates so fast that they’re likely to be outdated before you know it. Getting something your loved ones may only use on the occasional road trip wastes money.
Pinstriping
Pinstriping can add a little personality to your car, but paying a dealer to do it can be a rip-off. If you’re into customizing your ride, check out local artists or try doing it yourself because it’s usually much cheaper. You could also get a more customized design, meaning your car will stand out in the parking lot.
Wheel Locks
Wheel locks are meant to protect fancy tires from thieves, but they’re overkill for most people unless you’re parking in high-risk areas or have super expensive rims. Standard security measures are usually enough to keep your wheels safe without paying these additional costs. You’ve also got to deal with the hassle of wheel locks whenever you need a tire change or rotation.
Performance Chips
Performance chips are meant to improve your car’s horsepower and efficiency. But for everyday driving, this improvement is only minimal, and in some cases, it could even void your warranty, so it’s just not worth it. Most drivers won’t notice the change, so it’s just a high-risk, low-reward situation.
Cargo Organizers
Cargo organizers can help keep your trunk neat, but why pay dealership prices? You can find various organizers online or at any auto store that does the job just as well for much cheaper. Better yet, they usually come in a wider range of designs and sizes, so you can find one that fits your needs perfectly.
Custom Badges and Decals
If you want a bit of flair, custom badges and decals will let you do that, although you should know that dealerships often charge way more than you’d pay elsewhere. Look online or at specialty shops for better deals. You’ll get to choose from a larger selection and might even support small businesses or artists, and that’s always a good thing.
Heated Steering Wheel
A heated steering wheel can be useful sometimes, but it usually comes with a bunch of other high-end features that you probably won’t need. You may be better off investing in a good pair of gloves than committing to an expensive package. Most of the time, you’ll only use the heated part of it for just part of the year.
Automatic Headlight Dimmers
Automatic headlight dimmers switch between high and low beams based on traffic conditions. Handy? Sure. Essential? Not really. Many drivers find they can manage just fine with manual controls and save a bit of cash because this feature is more about convenience than necessity. You can easily change your headlights when needed with a little extra care.
Spoilers
A spoiler isn’t practical unless you’re speeding around on racetracks, and the aerodynamic benefits are non-existent for driving in the city or suburbs. It’s another one of those times when saving your money might be the smarter move. Spoilers can also affect your car’s resale value because not everyone likes them.
Dash Kits
Dash kits allow you to customize your car’s interior with different finishes, which sounds pretty cool. Unfortunately, dealership prices are much higher than they’re worth, and plenty of third-party kits are much more reasonably priced. There’s no point wasting all your money at the dealership.
Underbody Lighting
Underbody lighting can make your car look pretty cool at night, but you must be careful, as many places have laws against them. Check the rules in your area before you buy them because you might have to remove them later for another cost. And let’s not forget the hassle of installation and upkeep, as well as the risk of damage from road debris.
Engine Block Heater
For anyone living in milder climates, an engine block heater seems necessary for cold mornings, but unless you’re in a seriously frosty area, you likely don’t need it. These devices are designed for freezing conditions where the oil thickens, and they need a warm-up before starting. In most places, your car will start just fine without it.
Extra Chrome Accents
Extra chrome accents really aren’t doing anything for your ride’s performance. While they do add some bling to your car, they’re expensive, and it’s better to go for less expensive aftermarket options instead of buying through the dealership. This way, you’ll get to control how much sparkle you’re really going for without paying too much.
Upgraded Horns
Upgraded horns certainly do sound like a fun feature, especially if you want something a bit better than the standard beep. But let’s be honest: how often are you actually using your horn? Save your cash and stick with the factory model because it’s just as effective at getting attention in traffic.
Side Skirts
Side skirts are a cosmetic improvement, no matter what some say about aerodynamics. Adding side skirts won’t really change how your car handles your daily commute, and they can be expensive. You’re better off spending your money elsewhere if you’re not racing.
Oversized Exhaust Systems
Oversized exhaust systems are terrible because they’re loud and pricey. They won’t make you look cooler, and most drivers find that their car’s standard exhaust system is perfectly fine for everyday use. There’s really no point in wasting your money on something that’ll just make things louder.
Decorative Shift Knobs
No matter what they’ll tell you at the dealership, you really don’t need to get those decorative shift knobs, as they’re usually pretty expensive. If you want to make your gear shift more interesting, plenty of other fun, affordable options online exist. You can get all types, whether that’s quirky or luxury.
Luxury Floor Mats
Luxury floor mats sound great until you remember their main job is getting stepped on. Dealers will try to upsell you branded mats, but they won’t last any longer than the regular kind, so save yourself a bundle with the standard mats. You could even check out aftermarket alternatives that do the job for a lot less.
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